There are countless biopics of famous actors and even a good number about legendary writers, but directors don’t tend to get so much cinematic attention. One definite exception to that rule is Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini, who already inspired the likes of Nine. Now some of his life will be explored in a less fictional guise, with Wagner Moura taking the lead in Fellini Black And White.
Homeland writer-producer Henry Bromell has written the script and will direct the indie production, which is set in Los Angeles in March 1957. Fellini, then 37, was on his first trip to the States to attend the Oscars. But during the voyage across to America, he went missing for 48 hours, and the film will dip into speculation to explore what might have happened across those two days, something that meant he barely made it to the awards ceremony.
So what does Fellini get up to in Bromell’s story? He discovers the surfing and jazz scenes, and falls for a veterinarian. His wife, in turn, looks to drown her sorrows with Ricky Nelson. Whatever really did happen, it clearly left an impact on Fellini, as he returned home post-Oscars to make La Dolce Vita and 8 1/2.
Peter Dinklage, still earning raves for his work on Game Of Thrones, will be the other man in the vet’s life, while William H Macy will be the director’s publicist. Terrence Howard is aboard as a jazz musician.
Moura has been best known to date as the star of the Elite Squad film series, and most recently worked with Matt Damon on Neill Blomkamp’s Elysium.